Post-brace.



E. L. THOMPSON & M. G. BRIOE.

POST BRAGE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 16, 1909.

Patented June 21,1910.

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ERNEST L. THOMPSON AND MAY C. BRICE, OF BLUFFTON, INDIANA.

POST-BRACE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 16, 1909.

Patented June 21, 1910.

Serial N0.-502,598.

To all" whom it" may concern:

Be it known that we, ERNEST L. THOMP- SON and MAY "C. Baron, citizens of the United States, residing at Bluffton, in'the county of ells and State oflndiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Post-Braces; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon which form a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to fence post braces and has for its object to provide a device which is simple in its construction, cheap and easy to manufacture, strong, durable and efficient; and our invention has for its ob- 'ect to provide a brace which can be quickly and easily applied to the post for the purpose of securely bracing the same.

With these objects in view our invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the parts as will be hereinafter fully described and afterward specifically pointed out in the appended clai ns.

Referring to the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is an elevation of a post and brace constructed in accordance with our invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken through the base plate of the brace. Fig. l is a vertical sectional view taken through the top portion of the brace, and Fig. 5 is an elevation of the face of the base engaging element.

' Like numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout the several figures in which:

1 indicates the brace and 2 a post. The brace 1 comprises a base or bed plate 3 which, as shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a series of longitudinal strengthening ribs 4 and a transverse strengthening rib 5. Suitable holes or perforations 6 are supplied to the bed plate 3 for the purpose of anchoring the same if desired. Extending upwardly in a diagonal direction from the bed plate 3 is the main brace rod 7 which, as shown, is preferably a tube or pipe; and as will appear from Fig. 3 the bed plate 3 is provided with a knob or projection 8 over which the end of the pipe or brace 7 passes. The rounded form of the knob or projection 8 allows the brace rod 7 to firmly engage the same and to effect a rigid'bearing irrespective of the angularity of the rod 7 with relation to the bed plate 3.

9 indicates the post engaging element which, as shown in the drawing, is provided with a concaved surface 10 to conform to the surface of the post 2; and we provide on this concaved surface a series of spurs or tangs 11 to enter the post and toinsure the device against slipping. As will appear from the drawing the post engaging'element 9 is provided with a dished or concaved face 12 provided with a central projection 13, and as will appear from Fig. 5 a rib 14 is provided in said face.

15 indicates the adjusting mechanism which comprises a threaded pipe 16 upon which is carried a hooded threaded armed lock nut 17, said nut being provided preferably with a series of handles 18 for the purpose of conveniently manipulating the same. The upper end of'the threaded pipe 16 is provided with notches 19 registering with the rib 14: in the dished face of the post engaging element 7. When the device is in operative position the threaded pipe 16 is prevented from rotating by reason of the rib 14 and notches 19.

Extending from the inner end of the bed plate 3 is a rod 20, said rod having a hooked end 21 which passes through a perforation 22 in the bed plate 3. A suitable staple 23 or other fastening element is applied to the bottom of the post 2 to which the rod 20 is connected, said rod 20 being provided with an eye 24 for this purpose.

Having thus described the several parts of our invention its operation is as follows: The parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 1, the post engaging element 9 being placed in position on the post 2 at the desired height, the angularity of the brace 7 being provided for by reason of the ball shaped bearing 8 on the bed plate 3. When the device is thus in position the hooded threaded armed lock nut 17 is rotated which forces the threaded pipe 16 out of the brace 7. Should the post be out of its proper vertical position the same can be quickly and easily braced and righted. It is also apparent that any degree of movement of the top of the post is possible with this brace, and after the same has been applied the post can be braced at any time subsequently by the simple turning of the nut 17.

Having thus fully described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is l. A post brace comprising a bed plate, a brace rod connected to said bed plate and adapted to pass to the bottom of the post to be braced, a post engaging element, a diagonal brace rod adapted to engage said bed plate, a threaded element at the upper end of said brace rod for engagement with said post engaging element, said post engaging element being provided with tangs on one side and a concaved face on the other, a central projection on said concaved face to enter said threaded element, and a rib on said concaved face, the said threaded element being provided with notches to receive said rib to prevent rotation of said threaded element.

2. A post brace comprising a bed plate, a brace rod connected to said bed plate and adapted to pass to the bottom of the post to be braced, a post engaging element, a diagonal brace rod adapted to engage said bed plate, a threaded element at the upper end of said brace rod for engagement with said post engaging element, said post engaging element being provided with tangs on one side and means on the other to receive the said threaded element, and further means on said post engaging element for eifecting an interlocking engagement with said threaded element to hold said threaded element against rotation.

In testimony whereof, we afiix our signa- 5 tures in presence of two witnesses.

ERNEST L. THOMPSON MAY 0. BRICE.

Witnesses:

GABRIEL T. M RKLEY, JOHN W. OARNALL. 

